Mina the Greatest

David McNamara

© Copyright, 2011
 2

Mina blinked her eyes as she exited the school for girls she attended. The wind was rushing down
the street, stirring a cloud of dust into the air. She drew her veil tightly around her face to shield herself
from the dust and the wind. It was a chilly wind. She shivered as she began walking down the street
toward the corner where a bus waited. In the doorway of the bus, her cousins Jabbaar and Asif were
waiting.

Asif called out, "Hurry up, Mina. The bus is leaving."

A warm cloud of diesel smoke from the bus engulfed Mina. "I'm coming," she replied. 

Asif tried to exit the bus to greet Mina, but Jabbaar grabbed his younger brother's arm and pulled
him back up the stairs onto the bus. "Stop being so loud. You are such a child sometimes," Jabbaar said,
in a lecturing voice.

Mina ascended the stairs. She patted Asif on the head and sat next to him on the bench. "Jabbaar,
have some patience with your brother. You're not much more than a child yourself."

Since Jabbaar was younger than his cousin Mina by four years, he had nothing to say in reply. He
simply grumbled under his breath that girls shouldn't correct boys.

Hearing Jabbaar, Mina spit out her tongue hidden behind her veil but said nothing. She turned her
attention to Asif, who was eager to describe his day at school. As he talked, the bus began moving down
the road. It was a bumpy and hilly road, causing the bus to shake and the engine to growl in exertion.
Mina tried to follow Asif's chatty anecdote about a wild gerbil he tried to catch during recess, but the noise
from the bus made the conversation difficult to understand. Still, she smiled and nodded appropriately,
unlike Jabbaar who sullenly ignored the conversation.

The bus careened around the turns and jolted to a stop regularly to pick up and drop off passengers.
After a while, the bus stopped at the corner near Mina's house. Since her cousins were traveling a few
stops further to their neighborhood, Mina said goodbye to the boys.

Before she exited the bus, Jabbaar broke his silence and called out to her, "Mina, Mother told me to
tell you Aunt Ailya will be coming along with us for supper tonight."

The reminder caused Asif to jump out of his seat excitedly. "I can't wait."
 3

"Supper?" Mina suddenly recalled what her father had told her that morning. Her cousins' family had
decided to visit them for supper. "Oh no, I forgot you were visiting tonight. Haseena had better get home
soon this time, or I'll have a lot of work to do. See you boys tonight."

While Mina did not mind cooking for her father, the short notice for added guests made it more
difficult than usual. She was tired after a long day at school, and her older sister Haseena was usually
more of a distraction than a help, if she were present to help at all. Haseena apprenticed at a dress
boutique in the marketplace, and sometimes stayed late to finish up orders for customers. That Haseena
was unpredictable also did not help. While her personality was vibrant and creative, she was also absent-
minded and easily distracted. Most of all, Haseena hated cooking.

Being aware of her sister's tendencies, Mina was not surprised when she entered the house and
Haseena was absent from the kitchen. Quietly, Mina resigned herself to having to do the work alone. She
descended down the stairs into the cellar and emerged with an armful of ingredients for the meal. After
placing the ingredients on the counter, she went back downstairs into the cellar for a second armful since
the meal would have to feed nine people.

Mina had just taken the first batch of flatbread from the oven, when she heard a chorus of voices in
the front room. Her relatives had arrived and would be impatient to eat, especially the men who assumed
that food just cooked itself. Hurriedly, she arranged the warm loaves of noni on a platter with grapes and
cheese. She took the platter and a bowl of spinach yogurt dressing and rushed into the other room with it.

In the other room, her father Samir and Uncle Rohullah were already in an intense conversation
about politics. It was a loud conversation, but most of the shouting was from Uncle Rohullah's end. What
Rohullah lacked in intelligence, he compensated with volume. Mina smiled; her father was not only a wise
man, but also a patient man as well. Mina set the platter down, and her cousins Jabbaar and Asif eagerly
rushed over. The boys began tearing chunks of the bread and devouring them along with the rest of the
contents of the platter.

Mina's aunt Fatimah, who was the mother of the boys, saw them devouring the food and scolded
them, "You're so greedy, my sons. Have you complimented your cousin for the delicious food yet?"

With mouths full of bread and grapes, the hungry boys quickly complimented Mina for cooking the
food and thanked her. Enjoying the food, Jabbaar was not as sullen as before and even smiled at Mina.

Fatimah said to Mina, "My boys are too impatient filling up on bread. They'll have no stomach left for
the next course. Let me help you and Haseena with the rest of the food."

Mina almost said yes, but realized Haseena had still not arrived home. Where was she? She
thought. Not wanting Haseena to get in trouble, she lied, "No thank you, Haseena and I are fine."
 4

Fatimah replied, "Okay, well let me know if you change your mind. The men are hungry."

Mina was relieved that her aunts did not suspect anything until Mina's other aunt Aliya added the
question, "Where is Haseena anyway? Is she so busy in the kitchen she doesn't have time to greet her
beloved aunts?"

"Haseena's had a busy day and she's really tired from work and all the cooking." Quietly, she added,
"She didn't want Father to worry." Mina was trying not to appear nervous and was getting frustrated at the
questions and at Haseena.

Fatimah threw her hands up, "Haseena is so like her mother. Our dear sister Aisha was so humble
and unselfish." She began reminiscing with Aliya about their sister and their childhood with her.

While her aunts talked, Mina mentally wondered where Haseena was and why she was taking so
long. She had better have a good reason for her absence, Mina thought.

Thankful that her aunts were distracted, Mina excused herself back into the kitchen. At that moment,
Haseena was slipping through the back door. She was carrying a long suspicious-looking package.

"Haseena, you scared me sneaking in like that. Where have you been?" Mina exclaimed.

Also startled by Mina, Haseena almost dropped her package. She motioned for Mina to be quiet. "I
was just working on finishing some orders. The shop was really busy today."

"Our inquisitive aunts were just asking where you were. I didn't want you to get in trouble so I lied
and said you were busy in the kitchen."

"Sounds like I got here just in time, right?"

Mina tried to lecture her older sister, "Haseena, I can’t always lie for you. You need to be careful
about being late all the time. You know the family disapproves of you working in that shop, especially
Uncle Rohullah. I overheard him last week telling Father he shouldn't let you work there anymore."

"Uncle Rohullah's a stupid, fat old man, and he always smells like rotten garlic."

Mina tried not to giggle, "Stop changing the subject, sister. You're never this late. What really
happened?"

"I told you I had to work late at the shop today." Then, Haseena exclaimed, "You wouldn't believe it.
Makram stopped by the dress shop today and tried to act like he had an important message for me to tell
 5

Father. But I put him in his place. He was so embarrassed, that little spoiled boy with all his family's
heroin money."

Resisting her curiosity about the latest that had happened between Haseena and Makram, Mina
persisted with her sister, "You're still changing the subject. What's in that box?"

"I can't tell you now, but I'll tell you later tonight. And I'll help in just a minute. I'll be right back."

Haseena momentarily disappeared around the corner with the package and returned to where Mina
was dishing the main course onto a large serving plate.

"The food smells good," Haseena said to Mina.

"Thanks," Mina responded. She poked at the food on the plate, "I wish I wasn't so rushed tonight.
The eggplant is a little mushy, and I hope I seasoned the lamb enough."

"Oh it'll be fine. The family will love it all the same." Helpfully, Haseena took the plate from Mina and
carried them out from the kitchen to their waiting relatives.

Still in the kitchen, Mina could hear her relatives gushing over the food and complimenting Haseena
on how good it was. Mina rolled her eyes. Haseena loved attention almost more than anything else.
Despite Haseena's faults, Mina loved her sister, but she wished her sister would stop taking credit for
things like she always did.

Mina finished the food preparation and carried the rest of the dishes out to the family. The family had
already begun to eat. The men were still enthusiastically conversing about politics and the latest decree
from the local imam. They barely acknowledged Mina when she seated herself quietly, except for Amir
who was seated next to her.

He handed her a small plate and whispered, "I saved you some eggplant."

Mina patted him on the head and took the plate.

For a few minutes, Mina ate in silence while the men continued to talk. Because the conversation
was still mostly Uncle Rohullah ranting, Mina did not try to follow it. She suddenly paid attention, however,
when she heard Uncle Rohullah mention Haseena's name.
 6

He was saying to Father, "I hear talk that your daughter Haseena insulted the son of Abdullah
today."

Haseena forgot her manners and interrupted her uncle, "You mean Makram, uncle? He came in the
dress shop today to hit on me. He knows men aren't allowed in there, so he was asking for it."

"Well, his father told me he had an urgent message for Samir."

"An urgent message for Father? Ha, he didn't say anything about an urgent message. He probably
wants Father to sell me to him. He thinks I’m just property like a goat for him to milk. I told him to leave
me alone forever, and that he was a crossdresser for coming into the dress shop."

Mina and her cousins could not help laughing.

"Haseena," Father said, reprovingly. “You shouldn’t stoop to insults like that."

"What? It was funny and he deserved it. He was so mad. He ran out crying like a child."

Uncle Rohullah shook his head, "Shame on you, niece. He was crying because you insulted his
honor and disrespected him. You are too headstrong for a woman." To Father, he said, "You should
consider giving Haseena to Makram as a wife. His family is very wealthy, and your daughter needs some
stability."

"I don't want to marry someone I detest," Haseena insisted, "And besides, everyone knows where
his family gets their money—."

Aunt Aliya interrupted Haseena, clicking her tongue, "We mustn't talk about their family secrets. It's
bad luck."

Aliya's husband was a captain in the military whose division specialized in anti-narcotics
enforcement; thus, she was well aware of the social and political dynamics involved with Makram's family
business growing opium poppies for producing heroin. Makram's father Abdullah was the chief of the
police in the district. Because of Abullah's position, the military essentially ignored his family's less-than-
legal business ventures.

Aliya cautioned Haseena further, "Makram's family is very powerful. The police are always watching
out for them. You must treat Makram with respect."
 7

Mina looked at Haseena. She could tell Haseena wanted to say more. But Haseena wisely held her
tongue when she saw Mina glaring at her.

Mina was frustrated with everyone fighting. She spoke, "Please, let's stop arguing, everyone. Let's
enjoy the food. It was our dear Mother's favorite recipe."

Mina wanted to get everyone's attention, but she regretted mentioning her mother Aisha. Her father
still missed her mother greatly. He had never remarried. For a moment, Samir's eyes flashed with
sadness.

"You girls have done well with the food tonight," he said. "Your mother would be proud."

The rest of the meal continued uneventfully. The family avoided mentioning any more controversial
subjects. Even Uncle Rohullah conversed politely and with less volume than he had previously. When the
meal was finished, Mina went to the kitchen and brought back a pot of cardamom tea for everyone. While
Mina's aunts gossiped over the tea, the men excused themselves into father's study to smoke. After a
minute of listening to her aunts' tiresome gossip, Mina motioned for Haseena to help clean up the kitchen.

"Can you clean up without me?" Haseena whispered.

"Why?" Mina was skeptical.

"I'm just so tired from working late today. Please?"

Mina almost began arguing with her sister, but she held her tongue. "Sure, but I'm doing you a
favor."

It was late at night when Mina finished cleaning up the kitchen. The relatives had left long ago and
her father was in his study. She entered the room softly. The room was filled with the robust smell of
fragrant old wood walls and fresh tobacco smoke lingering in the air.

Mina walked up to his chair. "It's late, Father. You should sleep."

Samir turned the page of an official-looking legal document. He turned and spoke to Mina, "You
should be in bed as well. You have school tomorrow and you need to be alert for your lessons."
 8

"I know. I'm going to bed now. But what are you working on so late?"

"It's a case I'm defending."

"Can you tell me what it is?" Mina was not just trying to get her father to talk to her; she was
genuinely interested.

"Yes, I'm defending a journalist who wrote an article criticizing the president."

"What did this journalist say in the article?"

"He merely investigated the president's policies and listed reasons why the president is abusing his
power. Instead of using foreign aid to help the poor and rebuild the infrastructure, he's using much of it to
reward his friends many of whom are affiliated with extremist warlords."

"Is that true?" Mina asked.

"Everyone knows it is. The journalist was just brave enough to say it."

"I thought we had a democracy now. How can the government prosecute him just for saying that? "

"A democracy?" Samir laughed. "Maybe in name, but our laws say that we cannot insult the
president or disrespect his authority. Sometimes the truth is insulting."

"I didn't think about it that way. Well, you're brave too, for defending his case. I wish I could do
something noble like that."

He stood up from his chair and stretched. "Don't forget you're my daughter, Mina. Maybe one day
you will follow in my footsteps. You have a sharp mind."

Mina kissed him on the cheek and from the doorway she said, "Maybe I'll be a journalist. Then, you
could be my lawyer."

Mina's father laughed again, "Sure, and since you're family, I might even give you a discount rate.
Good night."
 9

It was dark when Mina opened the door to her bedroom. She shared the bedroom with Haseena
who seemed to be sleeping quietly on her side of the bed.

She turned the nightlight on. In the dimness, Mina changed into her nightgown. Suddenly, Haseena
whispered to her.

"Mina?"

Mina jumped. "I thought you were asleep. This is the second time you've scared me today."

"Sorry. Do you want to know the real reason why I was late tonight?"

"Yes, tell me." Mina sat on her side of the bed.

Haseena emerged from under the covers. Mina gasped. Haseena was wearing a dress. It was silky
and sparkled faintly in the dim light.

Mina exclaimed. "So that's what was in the package?"

"Do you like it?"

"I don't know. You're beautiful and the fabric is beautiful too, but there's so little of it. I can see your
legs."

Haseena giggled, "You still are so traditional, my sister. It's a western dress I special-ordered."

"Why did you get it?"

"I liked it."

Mina sensed that Haseena had another reason for the dress. She inquired further, "That's it?"

Haseena paused. "Well, there is a pro-democracy fundraiser I'm going to tomorrow night. It will have
dancing and music and wine and art to look at. I'm so excited. I've never been to a party like this before."

"You can't go to that kind of party. I bet it's illegal."

 10

"I don't know about that. All I know is that it'll be fabulous."

"If anyone finds out you'll be dressed like that, they'll kill you."

"Let them then. I'll die free and happy. I'm so tired of people here bossing me around, telling me how
to live my life. People like Makram and Uncle Rohullah. I want to be free doing things that make me
happy. We're only young once, dear sister."

"Yes, we are, but you'll always be beautiful. Why should everyone stare at your legs? You're
practically naked in that dress. Aren't we supposed to be modest, like a pearl in its shell?"

Haseena groaned. "I'm so tired of these silly rules. They want us women to be pearls stuck in
oysters on the bottom of the muddy ocean. Pearls are such a waste when they're in the shell." To prove
her point, Haseena reached forward with a necklace in her hand. "Look, I borrowed some real pearls.
Aren't they beautiful?"

Mina took the necklace and held it. It was heavier than she expected. "Where did you get it?"

"I borrowed it from Aarmaan's mother."

"Who is Aarmaan?"

"His father's a journalist."

"But who is he? A boy?"

“Yea, and he's gorgeous. Gorgeous and brilliant. His whole family is too. His mother came in the
dress shop a couple times so I ended up meeting him through her. She's a lovely woman, very cultured.
They lived in Europe for a long time and just came back to work with some political organization here in
the city."

"Wait, so are you going to the party with this boy Aarmaan?"

"Of course. His mother really likes me."

 11

Mina was worried for her sister, "You're so impulsive, Haseena. Father was right when he said your
smoky green eyes would get you in trouble one day."

"Mina, I’m older than you and I know what I'm doing. Trust me, I won't get into any trouble."

Mina was still concerned, but she was too exhausted from the day to argue any more with her sister.
She whispered good night to Haseena, and drifted off to sleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.

***

The next night, Mina dreaded Haseena’s leaving. She hid in the bed, while Haseena quietly dressed
for the party. After spending what Mina thought to be too much time to get ready, Haseena tiptoed out the
door. Mina wanted to stop Haseena from leaving, but she knew it would only strength Haseena's stubborn
resolve. The late hours dragged on and on while Mina squirmed in bed, unable to sleep. She was
concerned for her sister's safety and waited anxiously, hoping she would return soon.

Finally, it was five in the morning. Convinced that something had happened to Haseena, Mina
considered telling her father about Haseena so that he could go looking for her. But she hesitated. A few
more minutes passed. Mina was just about to get up and wake her father, when Haseena slipped in the
room. She smelled smoky and sweaty. Even though Mina wanted to ask her why she was so late, Mina
was too tired to talk and pretended to be asleep already. Relieved that Haseena had made it back without
any incident, Mina decided to wait to ask her sister about the party until the morning.

The morning light leaking through the curtains burned Mina's eyes. She blinked. Yawning sleepily,
she sat up in bed. She looked over at Haseena's side of the bed. It was empty; Mina figured that Haseena
had already left for the dress shop. Mina shook her head, wondering why Haseena had taken so long to
return home. After having spent most of the night sleepless, waiting for her sister to return, Mina was
anxious for her sister to explain why she had been so late coming home. Mina was both annoyed at and
worried for Haseena. Still sleepy, Mina hoped that she would be able to talk to Haseena later when she
returned from work in the evening.

Early in the evening, Haseena briskly walked in the door. Mina was in a chair reading. Looking up
from her book, Mina greeted Haseena. Haseena avoided looking directly at Mina and rushed past her.
Her voice sounding distant and embarrassed, she mumbled a response about having a busy day at work.
She was exhausted and needed to go to bed early. Mina wanted to chase after Haseena so that she
could talk to her before she went to bed, but she hesitated. From Haseena’s elusive behavior, Mina
 12

sensed it would be useless to pursue the matter any further. She would have to be patient and wait for the
right time to talk to her sister.

***

That time came a few weeks later. It was evening again and Mina entered their room. She found
Haseena seated on the edge of the bed crying. To console her, Mina walked up to Haseena and placed
her hand on Haseena's shoulder.

"What's wrong?" Mina asked.

"I'm so scared."

"Why?"

"I'm leaving."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't take this place any longer."

Mina sat down next to her sister. "Why?"

"Just the way everything is here. I can't stand all the rules."

"You’re leaving just because of rules? What are you talking about?"

“It’s not just rules. It’s how people are so traditional and too scared to try anything new. The only
people allowed to have opinions are the old people. We must respect them, but they don’t respect us. I’m
sick of the way everyone seems to glare at me and criticize me with their eyes because I don’t just blindly
play along like everyone else does. I want to be free like a wild tulip in the countryside, not afraid to show
my colors to the world. I have to listen to my heart. I'm in love, Mina."

"In love with that boy Aarmaan?"

"Yes, how did you know?" Haseena was surprised at Mina's perceptiveness.
 13

"It's pretty obvious that you changed after you went to that party with him."

"Oh yes, the party was wonderful. Aarmaan was so charming to me, and we danced together the
whole time. After the party, we just kept talking, and things just happened so fast."

Mina was horrified. "You slept with him, didn't you? I can't believe it. I told you not to go to that
party."

"Don't talk like that, Mina. I feel so incredibly amazing now. We've decided to elope. We're going to
go to the French embassy tonight and try to get asylum. Aarmaan's father could probably pull strings for
us."

Mina was even more shocked now that realized Haseena was serious about leaving. "Asylum? For
what? You're crazy. Are you sure you should do this? You can't just run away from everything here. How
will Father feel? And you'll be going with some boy you hardly know. I hate this boy already."

"But I love him, and I'm not crazy. It feels exhilarating, like we're living in a movie."

"Those Hollywood movies are ridiculous. They always end happy, unlike real life."

"You're too practical. They're so exciting and romantic."

"They're so fake. The actors are fake too. They're just reciting lines. You said you wanted to be free.
Do you want to be a character in a movie stuck reciting lines the rest of your life?"

Haseena was getting annoyed at being lectured by her sister. "You don't know how it feels, Mina.
You're blind to what's out there. It's easy to be you. You're cautious, and you think before you speak. You
let everyone make decisions for you, even Father. You're submissive and respectful to men, even though
you're smarter than most of them.  You don't have any responsibility where you are. You're so talented,
yet you hide in the house all day, scared to take the smallest risk. Think for yourself, sister. Do you want
to waste your life?"

Mina was hurt but too angry to cry, "I'm not wasting my life. I'm just not sure what I want to do or be
yet. I want to think it over logically instead of being impulsive. Don't trust your feelings so much; they're
just hormones, chemicals flooding your brain with good feelings. Soon, they're going to change and you'll
feel empty again."
 14

"Look, I'm tired of arguing. I need to get my suitcase packed. I'm supposed to meet Aarmaan at the
bus stop in an hour."

"This just sounds like such a bad idea. I'm really scared for you. Haseena, please don't go. I'll tell
Father."

"You wouldn't."

Mina took both of Haseena’s hands in hers. "Let me come with you. You need someone to watch out
for you."

"Mina, you can't come. I won't have you dragged into this. I promise I'll call as soon as we get to the
embassy."

Hurriedly, Haseena packed a small suitcase. After finishing, she opened a bag from her closet. It
contained jeans, sweater, and a long wool jacket. Mina watched in sorrowful silence as Haseena dressed
in the western clothes and pinned up her long hair. Haseena looked completely different.

Mina spoke, "I hope you come back."

"I will one day." Haseena walked back over to the closet. She took a garment bag off the rack and
handed it to Mina. "Here's that dress I bought for the party. You can have it."

Mina tried to hand the gown back to Haseena, "No, it's your dress. You should keep it."

Haseena insisted that Mina take it. "No, I altered it for you. You'll have to let me know if it fits."

Motioning for Mina to follow, Haseena slipped out of their room and walked to the front door of the
house. She opened the door. In the doorway, she paused for a moment. The sisters embraced. Mina
wished she could cling to Haseena forever, and never let go of her. As much as Haseena was foolish and
sometimes thoughtless, Mina loved her and longed for her sister to stay at home where it was safe. Mina
could not imagine her sister leaving without any warning or preparation. It took all her strength to force
herself to let go of Haseena.

"You'll call me when you get there, right?" Mina asked.

"I will."
 15

Mina grabbed Haseena's arm. "And swear you won't forget about me."

"How could I ever, Mina? I swear I won't."

Haseena picked up her suitcase and quietly walked outside to the street.  In sad resignation, Mina
watched from the open door as Haseena disappeared into the darkness, heading towards the bus stop.
As soon as Haseena disappeared, Mina had the sudden urge to scream and chase after her sister, but
her mouth would not open and her legs stubbornly remained frozen in place.

***

Mina opened her eyes, bewildered. She wondered where she was.  Slowly, she realized she was
sitting in a chair in her father's office. She remembered that she had been waiting by the phone for
Haseena to call.

Haseena.

It was morning, and Haseena had not called yet. Mina leapt from the chair and out of the office. She
ran to her father's room and knocked on the door quietly. While she was scared to wake her father and
scared of what he would say, she was more scared not to do anything. It was her fault. She had let
Haseena leave. Getting no response from inside, she began knocking more loudly.

Mina's father opened the door and spoke drowsily, "Mina, what's wrong?"

Mina looked at her feet. She began to speak, but all her words tumbled over each other.

Her father yawned. "Slow down. I can't understand you."

"It's Haseena. She's run away. It was last night. She said she met someone, and they were eloping
and going to France." Mina valiantly tried to maintain her composure. She did not want to disrespect her
father. "I should've stopped her, but I didn't know what to do. She was going to call when they got to the
embassy, but it's been a long time since she's left. I don't know why she hasn't called yet. I hope
something didn't happen to her."

Samir covered his face with his hands and sighed deeply. He was a patient, level-headed man, but
the news of Haseena's sudden departure was overwhelming him with fear and concern for his daughter.
 16

Mina hesitated, unsure of what to say. "I'm sorry, Father. I feel terrible. It's my fault this happened. I
don't know what to do."

"We have to find her." Samir's voice was urgent. He stood. "Come with me. We'll go to the police
station and report Haseena's absence."

"Will she be in trouble?" Mina asked.

"I just hope she's safe." He threw his coat on and rushed out the door.

Mina followed her father outside. He was walking so fast that it was hard for her to keep up with him.
Instead waiting for a bus to come, Samir got the attention of a passing taxi. They got in the car, and Samir
directed the driver to take them as fast as he could to the police station.

The taxi swerved around other cars and pedestrians in the old, winding streets of the medina, until
the taxi reached the police station. Samir and Mina got out of the car and entered the front room of the
station. It was dim and cramped. Mina waited in a chair while Samir talked to the officer at a small desk.  
The officer seemed sleepy and bored, Mina thought. He stared blankly ahead while Samir explained the
situation to him.

After silently listening to Samir, he handed Samir a clipboard. "Fill this out," he said.

Samir sat down next to Mina and began to fill out the form.

Mina looked at it and asked, "What is it?"

"It's a missing person report."

Mina leaned close to her father and whispered, "What’s wrong with the officer? He doesn't seem
very concerned about Haseena being missing."

Samir whispered back, "He's concerned, concerned how much money I'm willing to pay him."

Mina shook her head sadly, "Oh, that's shameful of him. Haseena is going to cost you a lot of
money, isn't she?"
 17

"If that's what it takes. I just want the police to find her as soon as possible."

Samir finished the form and handed it back to the waiting officer. Out of his pocket, Samir pulled a
neatly folded stack of paper money. Holding the money in front of him, he asked the officer, "Can you
notify me as soon as you find my daughter."

Slightly more animated than before, the officer took the money and nodded, "My friend, we will send
someone to your house with word of your daughter as soon as we find her, God willing."

Mina and her father returned to the house. Samir went into his study without a word and shut the
door. Alone, Mina paced in the front room too frantic to sit down. A thousand thoughts screamed in her
head. They all made no sense. She felt terrible. She knew something was wrong. Even though she hated
herself for letting Haseena go, she was tired of blaming herself. It made her feel worse. She just wanted
to hear a knock at the door and it would be Haseena. She would pull Haseena inside and lock the door.
She would not need to ask any questions like, "What happened?", or "Where were you?" Mina would just
hold her sister close and never let go of her again. Mina resisted looking at the time. Counting the minutes
made waiting even more miserable. She wondered how long would she have to wait before something—
anything—would happen?

Suddenly, Mina heard a knock at the door. She was too scared to open it.

"Father, someone is here," she called.

Slowly and deliberately, Samir approached the door and opened it.

Hiding behind her father's shadow, Mina put on her veil on and peeked outside. Two men in police
uniforms stood in the doorway. Their faces appeared grave.

One of the men greeted Samir, "Thank God you are well today, sir."

Samir nodded and asked him, "Do you have news of my daughter?"

The man began to speak.

 18

Mina's eyes grew wide. She tried not to listen to what he was saying. But her ears stubbornly picked
up most of the words anyway. They were heavy words, dark words—attacked, raped, suffocated, and
murdered.

These were not unfamiliar words to Mina, but together they carried an overwhelming finality. Mina
fought her stubborn imagination that pictured an exposed, broken body in the middle of a deserted lot
abandoned with the trash surrounding it.

Ahead of her, Samir collapsed to his knees with his face in his hands. His shoulders shook. Mina
stared at him. Finally, after all this time, silent tears poured down her face until her eyes burned.

The officers tried to comfort Mina's father. The second one spoke, "Sir, we are doing our best to
investigate this homicide. If it is any comfort to you, the police chief assures you no charges will be
brought against you for your daughter's misconduct of leaving your protection without an approved escort
and for violating hijab with her clothing.

Mina could tell that Samir did not care about such procedural generosity. He mumbled his
appreciation.

The first officer spoke again, "I'm sorry to trouble you, but the chief requests that you come with us to
confirm the identity of the body."

Samir shrugged his shoulders and looked back at Mina. "Stay here until I return, Mina. Do not open
the door for anyone."

Mina nodded in agreement.

A few hours later, Samir returned. 

Mina had so many questions for her father. She tried to bite her tongue but it was useless. She
forgot her composure and began to sob. "Was it her?"

"Yes."
He passed Mina silently and returned to his study. Again, he closed the door. 

***
 19

The night after Haseena's funeral, Mina lay in her bed, unable to sleep. Her head was spinning.
Pondering the funeral, she stared at the ceiling with a confused mixture of emotions filling her heart. Mina
was no stranger to funerals, but she had never been to a funeral for someone so young, and someone to
whom she had been so close. She was afraid to shut her eyes again. Every time she would close them,
she would see Haseena's face. It was not the vibrant face of her sister laughing as she picked wild gole-
laleh that were red like her favorite lipstick, but rather it was the cold, expressionless face of Haseena as
she rested in her coffin. The makeup artist had done a good job hiding the scratches and bruises. Aunt
Fatimah had seen to that. Haseena looked peaceful and beautiful. She reminded Mina of a wild tulip
frozen by a too-early snow. Seeing her was confusing. It was terrifying to see her body lying still and
quiet, but it was comforting that she was safe now.

Mina wondered how her father felt. He had been reserved and emotionless during the funeral. She
knew his heart was broken, and she wished she could somehow comfort him. She was curious if he were
able to sleep. Quietly, Mina left her bed, and glanced out her bedroom door. She noticed a light coming
from down the hall. She approached the light, and saw it was coming from Samir's study. Unlike before,
the door was left open.  

Hesitantly, Mina entered the room. Her father was at his desk, bent over a law book. 

"Father?"

Samir turned his head. Mina smiled at him weakly.

He returned her smile, "Come here, my daughter." He offered her a chair.

Mina sat down and immediately started talking. "I'm so very sorry, Father, for letting this happen to
Haseena. I'm a horrible sister and a horrible daughter. I'm heartbroken. What am I going to do? Haseena
was all we had. Who am I going to take care of now? I never knew Mother. Haseena was my sister and
my best friend and I let her die in horrible pain. How can I live anymore?"

Samir interrupted her, "Mina, you did what you could. Haseena left of her own free will, and what
happened to her wasn't your fault. It was the doing of some evil men."

Mina tightened her fists. "I hate them so much. Don't you want to kill them?"
 20

"A part of me does, but what can I do but cause them momentary pain? God will judge their souls."

"Do you think the police will catch these men?"

Mina's father crossed his arms. "I'd like to tell you yes, but I don't believe they will. Haseena was just
another young girl to them, another statistic. I'm sorry to tell you but there are many other girls just like
her, yet the police don't care. They have other duties to attend to. Those duties often include taking bribes
and corrupting justice. I'm even suspicious that Haseena's death wasn't a coincidence. It may have been
an honor killing."

"Raping and killing in the name of honor? That's not honor, that's pure evil." The loudness of Mina's
voice surprised her. 

"I agree."

"We have to do something to stop this."

"My daughter, we must be patient and work for justice little by little."

Mina was quiet for a moment, and then spoke, "But doesn't this hurt you, Father?"

Samir choked on his words. "Yes. I'm in terrible pain, but I have to be strong and take care of you.
You're all I have left. God is great and He will support us."

"Thank you, Father for caring for me. I know God is great, but if He's so great, why does He let
people be such monsters?"

Her father sighed, "Humanity has asked that question throughout the ages. I don't know if there is an
answer we could understand, Mina."

Thoughtfully, Samir reached into a drawer in his desk and pulled out a small case. "Let me tell you a
story your mother told me a long time ago. I regret you never got to know her. Aisha was a lovely woman,
vibrant and full of life. She is the secret to my strength even to this day. I remember right after you were
born, she was cradling you. She asked me if we could name you 'Mina'. I was surprised. It wasn't the
original name we had decided on and it wasn't a family name either. Your mother tried to explain. Mina
was a name that meant 'love'. She wanted our new child to have a name that would remind all of us why
 21

we exist. I didn't understand; I was still skeptical and tried to argue with her. Your mother, the patient
woman she was, asked me to come closer to her bed. She had a story to tell me. 

"Just like me, she studied abroad at a university in the United States. When she got there, she was
all alone, far away from her sisters and the rest of her family. It was a strange country, and she didn't feel
like she belonged there. One day, she was studying in her lab when an American girl sat next to her. The
girl tried to speak Arabic to her. Aisha couldn't help but laugh. The girl's pronunciation was barely
understandable, but she was so sincere. From that day forward, Aisha and the girl became best friends.
They studied together all the time, and the girl invited Aisha to her family's house for the holidays. Aisha
and the girl had many conversations together about their dreams, their cultures, and their beliefs. The girl
told Aisha many strange things about God whom she called the Loving One. The girl believed that God
loved all people and not just those who were pious and righteous. 

"Your mother said, at first, she didn't understand. How could God love people who do despicable
things? The girl argued that since God was great, His love was the greatest of all, greater than piety, and
even the evil of people. He showed His greatness by loving all people and giving everyone a chance to
return that love to Him.

"This still didn't make sense to Aisha. Then, one day, she woke up, and she just understood
somehow. She said she felt like a new person and felt a love she had never felt before. I don't know what
that meant by that, but that's how she described it. 

"Soon, Aisha graduated, and her student visa expired. Aisha was excited to return home but
sorrowful to leave her new friend behind. At the airport, the girls tearfully said goodbye to each other. As a
parting gift, the girl gave Aisha this box."

Mina's father opened the box. Inside was a tiny ring. He handed it to Mina. "Read the inscription."

Mina looked on the inside of the ring. The inscription was in English. She wondered, "What does it
say?"

"It says, 'The greatest of these is love.'  A few months after you were born, your mother became very
sick, and the doctors couldn't do anything to cure her. Right before she died, she asked me to give you
this ring when I thought you were ready for it. Your mother told me that the ring was meant for you. She
could feel you were an extraordinary girl and had an extraordinary purpose. She knew you would be great
one day."
 22

Mina held the ring wordlessly.

Samir continued, "And she was right. There is something unique about you, Mina. Your eyes are
bright like you already know the secrets of the universe. You remember how everyone always says that
Haseena was like your mother? It always makes me laugh when they say that. I know the truth. I see so
much more of my Aisha in you. You have a hunger to learn and a selfless desire to care for those around
you. Your mother had a special burden not only for our country, but also for the world. Even though she
died before she was able to carry out her dreams, she knew you would be the one to fulfill these dreams. 
Don't despair over the past; don't give up. Your mind is alert, and your will is strong. You'll make your
mother and me proud."

He reached in his drawer again. "There is something else your mother wanted you to have." This
time he handed Mina a leather-bound journal sealed shut. "Open it."

Mina broke the seal and opened the journal to the first page. It was filled with bright colors
surrounding large, hopeful letters. Their hand-drawn swirls spelled "My Plan to Save the World". The
words exuded the enthusiastic, almost-purposeful naiveté of a young woman planning for a future that
she would never see. Mina thumbed through the pages, until she came to the last page. It contained a
letter addressed to Mina.

In that moment, Mina was not able to read any more. She shut the book and held it close. "I want
very much to make you and Mother proud, but I'm still overwhelmed. I'm scared of what will happen now,
of the future. I don't want to fail and let you and Mother and Haseena down." Mina's voice had hope in it
now, "But I feel braver now; I know I won't fail. I'm determined to save the world just like Mother wanted
me to."

Mina stayed up with her father a few minutes longer until he could tell she was exhausted. He gently
ordered her to go to sleep.

Mina sleepily said goodnight to her father and went back to her room. She lay in bed and valiantly
tried to stay awake. She wanted to make sense of what she was feeling and what her father had told her,
but her body was too drained from all the recent sleepless nights to allow her to think. Before long, her
body succumbed to a deep sleep void of dreams. 

***
 23

After what seemed to her a few minutes, Mina awoke. The glare from the sunlight pouring in her
window told her it was late morning. Despite the lateness, Mina was unconcerned. Usually, even on
holidays from school, Mina awoke early to perform her household duties. This morning, however, Mina
felt different; she felt peaceful and content to spend a few moments just to enjoy the solitude. Besides,
she deserved a break from her exhausting, daily routine. She stretched her arms upward and lay back
down in her bed. She was incredibly refreshed, unlike the sleepless, agonizing nights that she had
recently endured since Hasseena's murder.

Most of the morning passed while she lay comfortably sprawled in her bed. Finally, she stood up.
Instead of reaching for the clothes she had set out on a chair the night before, she had the sudden urge to
break her routine and wear something new. She walked to her closet and patiently looked through all her
clothes. They were all traditional clothes made with drab and dark material that was rough to the touch.
She reached the back of the closest, where a garment bag was hanging. Mina grabbed it eagerly and
unzipped it.

Inside was the dress Haseena had given to her. Carefully, she slipped into the dress. She looked at
herself in the mirror. It fit her well; Haseena had altered it perfectly. Mina was satisfied with how the dress
looked, but her bare thighs looked a little too large. Mina reached for a pair of Haseena's high heels and
put them on. They made her toes hurt, since her feet were too large as well. She wished she were more
beautiful like her sister had been.

Haseena's makeup and jewelry were still scattered all over the room. Mina searched through the
makeup curiously. She cautiously applied some of it and leaned close to the mirror to examine her face
and eyes. Once she was satisfied with the makeup, she selected two glittering earrings from a pile of
jewelry Haseena had left on the dresser in front of the mirror. Mina spun around, watching the earrings
dangle whimsically from her ears.

A knock on the door startled Mina. Father was outside the door informing her that her young cousin
Asif had come by the house to visit her.

Hurriedly, Mina threw a long cloak over the dress and stepped into a pair of worn slippers that fit
much better than Haseena's shoes had fitted. She walked into the front room where Asif was waiting for
her.

"Asif, look at you waiting politely out here. You're so patient for a little boy. It's good to see you."

Asif grinned and stood. "Hi, Mina."

 24

Excited to see him, Mina almost picked him up out of habit, but lately it seemed that he was getting
too old for that treatment any more.

"Why did you come visit?" Mina asked.

"I just figured you looked lonely these past couple of days. I wanted to come over and cheer you up."

Mina was glad she had resisted the urge to pick him up. "Thank you, Asif. You're such a thoughtful
cousin and you're getting so mature and smart these days."

"You're welcome, Mina. What would you like to do?"

Mina felt like being adventurous. "Let's go to the market and see what's for sale there today."

"Okay, we'd better hurry. It's getting late in the day."

Together, Mina and Asif boarded the crowded bus to ride to the market. They chattered happily
while the bus lumbered along the streets until it arrived at the stop for the market. Asif and Mina exited the
bus and began to explore. After a few hours, they had browsed a large area of the market, especially the
food stalls filled with irresistible snacks that Mina loved like spicy kebabs, and sweet, curly jelabi fried to
perfection. On a bench, Mina and Asif rested from walking.

"Would you like some more of my chickpeas and egg?" Mina asked Asif.

Asif shook his head and sighed contentedly. "No, thank you. I can't eat any more. I can't wait until I'm
big like Father and I can eat as much as I want."

Mina laughed, "I hope you don't get as big as he is. He would be wise to eat a little less than he
does. I don't know how poor Aunt Fatimah can cook enough for his appetite."

Asif giggled with his hand over his mouth. "He's fat, isn't he? I think I want to be like Uncle Samir
instead. He's a lot more happy, even though he doesn't eat as much."
 25

"I'm sorry to be disrespecting your father, but I hope you turn out like my father." Mina patted Asif's
head.

Mina looked ahead of them and noticed a gate in front of them. It led to a women’s only area of the
market where women could sell and buy a fascinating array of merchandise. Mina remembered that the
dressmaker's boutique where Haseena had worked was nearby.

"I'll be right back." Mina told Asif.

A few blocks later, Mina stopped outside the boutique. She stared at the ornately-decorated display
in the window. Her heart leapt in her chest for a moment—Haseena had always talked about how she
loved to decorate the window display. Mina noticed a pair of high-heels in the window. They practically
called to her. Mina thought that they would look lovely with the dress. She moved more closely to the
window; then, impulsively went inside.

A few moments later, Mina exited the boutique to return to the bench where Asif was waiting. With
all the potholes in the street, she struggled to maintain her balance walking in her new shoes. Wearing
them felt surprisingly invigorating, even though they were still essentially hidden by her long cloak. Of
course, she should not have bought them. They were an outrageous waste of money even after she had
negotiated a lower price.

When Mina returned to where Asif was waiting, he asked her, "Did you buy anything?"

Mina tried to act casual about the shoes. She lifted the dusty edge of her cloak "Just some shoes."

Being a young boy, Asif was only mildly interested. He glanced at the shoes. "They look nice, I
think."

Mina reached for Asif’s hand. “Are you ready to go back? I’m sure your mother will be worried if you
aren’t soon."

Asif stood up. "Sure, let's go."

Mina and Asif began walking back to the bus stop. The shoes were still hard to walk in, and the
heels pushed her forward as she walked. Mina almost tripped on a stretch of sidewalk that was more mud
than pavement.
 26

Asif caught her arm to steady her. He looked up at her and said, "You look taller now."

"I feel taller too."

All at once, Mina felt fear, bewilderment, and excitement. She felt older than she had just the day
before. She had realized she was growing up. She was a woman now, taller than the young, carefree girl
she remembered being once. Yet her realization was more than a sudden awareness of a gradual
physical maturity. She was more than a woman; she had an important duty to her family and her people.

Mina was so deep in thought that she forgot to pay attention to Asif. Then, she realized he had been
talking to her and was waiting for her response. His eyes did not look as happy as before.

"I'm sorry, Asif. I didn't hear you. What did you say again?"

"It's fine." Asif looked concerned. "I was just asking if it was ok if I looked after you."

What do you mean, Asif?

"I heard Mother and Father talking after the funeral about Haseena when they thought I was asleep.
I didn't understand it all, but it sounded really awful. I think some people were really mean to her."

"Oh, Asif, I'm sorry you had to hear that. I don't really understand it either. But don't think about it too
much."

"I know. I just want to make sure nothing happens to you too."

"That's sweet of you. Alright, you can look after me, but you have to promise to let me keep looking
after you too, even when you grow up and get taller than I am. How does that sound?"

"Okay, I promise." Asif was smiling again.

Mina placed her hand on Asif’s small shoulder. "I’m glad you’re smiling again. You’ve cheered me up
today, cousin. I hope when you grow up, you’ll still be as happy as you are now. Growing up is hard
sometimes. It’s been hard for me losing my best friend in the world. Now, I’m the only one that Father has
left. I have to be my mother, Haseena, and me all at the same time. And this may sound silly but I have a
calling in memory of my sister and mother. I can’t change what’s happened, but I have to change the
 27

future for all of us. It’s terrifying what could happen to me, but I’m so very glad you’ll be there to watch out
for me. "

Mina and Asif had arrived at the bus stop. As she carefully ascended the step onto the bus, Mina
remembered she was wearing her mother’s ring. It was cool and solid on her finger. Mina touched the ring
with her other hand. The metal felt soft and reassuring.

When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won.
There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they
always fall. Think of it—always. – Mahatma Gandhi